Mitt Romney faced a barrage of criticism Sunday from rivals questioning his conservatism, his strength as a candidate and record as a businessman, in an 11th-hour drive to diminish the front-runner’s standing before the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary on Tuesday. In a nod to Mr. Romney’s strong position in New Hampshire, the candidates also began dedicating attention and resources to South Carolina, which votes next, even as they made their closing arguments on the campaign trail and in two televised weekend debates in New Hampshire. Media Expert T.J. Walker breaks down this past weekend’s debates. Download MP3

Among the biggest challenges facing Rick Santorum’s quest for the Republican nomination is this: Can he explain away the crushing defeat received the last time he sought elected office? Mr. Santorum’s loss to Democrat Bob Casey in the 2006 Pennsylvania Senate race was not just the worst for any senator that year; it was one of the biggest defeats for any incumbent senator of either party in recent decades. The last person to win the presidency shortly after a home-state defeat was Richard Nixon, who lost the 1962 California governor’s race only to prevail six years later. WSJ’s Naftali Bendavid breaks down Mr. Santorum’s 2006 defeat. Download MP3

After weeks of partisan wrangling, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders reached a deal Sunday night to raise the government’s debt ceiling while cutting spending by about $2.4 trillion, avoiding a government default but setting the stage for months more of stormy debates over how Washington taxes and spends. WSJ’s Naftali Bendavid breaks down the deal. Download MP3

If a good political compromise is one that has something for everyone to hate, then last night’s bipartisan debt-ceiling deal is a triumph. The bargain is nonetheless better than what seemed achievable in recent days, especially given the revolt of some GOP conservatives that gave the White House and Democrats more political leverage. WSJ editorial board member Brian Carney has more. Download MP3

A year after the worst oil spill to strike U.S. waters, oyster beds are struggling along the Gulf of Mexico, the dolphin population is experiencing what the federal government calls an “unusual mortality event,” and red snapper with rotting fins are showing up on fishing lines. WSJ’s Jeff Ball joins us to discuss why scientists aren’t prepared to totally blame the BP oil spill for these problems just yet. Download MP3

In negotiating the budget deal that averted a government shutdown, Democrats and the White House claimed a big victory in preventing Republicans from blocking a set of environmental regulations. But as details of the compromise became known Tuesday, it was clear Republicans had won deep reductions in spending at the Environmental Protection Agency. WSJ’s Naftali Bendavid has more. Download MP3

The Brett Favre era is one step closer to being over in Green Bay. The Packers punched their ticket to Super Bowl XLV by beating their eternal rivals, the Chicago Bears, 21-14 in the NFC Championship. The Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers Feb. 6 in Arlington, Texas. We head to the heart of Packer country this morning as Gordon chatted with WTMJ’s morning show sports reporter Greg Matzek, as all of Green Bay packs for Texas. Download MP3

On the political side of life, President Obama’s State of the Union hits tomorrow, and this year some lawmakers worried that partisan overtones would seem off-key after the Jan. 8 shootings in Tucson, Ariz, that targeted Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. So, a collection of cross-party pairs are announcing plans to sit next to each other for the Tuesday event. WSJ’s Naftali Bendavid has more. Download MP3

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Now that they’ve taken over, it’s time for the GOP to take up the bench mark of their campaign. Let the spending cuts begin. Unfortunately, according to WSJ’s David Wessel, it won’t be that easy, “they confront two realities: Cutting government spending in general is popular; specific, substantial spending cuts are not. And, bringing down the deficit by spending cuts alone, particularly cuts in annually appropriated domestic spending, is, well, arithmetically challenging.” Here is more from David. Download MP3

Come January, the House will be composed of an energized conservative Republican majority and a Democratic minority that has become more liberal. At the same time, a more closely divided Senate could make it harder to assemble the 60 votes needed to pass most bills. WSJ’s Naftali Bendavid breaks down the new look congress. Download MP3

About WSJ This Morning

Wake up with America’s first news – The Wall Street Journal This Morning. Host Gordon Deal and news anchor Gina Cervetti go beyond the headlines with the day’s first look at news and business news from the U.S. and around the world; bringing a lively blend of intelligent information, humor, and expert analysis to morning radio.

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Biographies

Gordon Deal Before taking the helm at The Wall Street Journal This Morning in November 2005, Gordon was well-known to New York City radio listeners, having worked at both WINS-AM and WCBS-AM where he honed his writing skills and developed his distinctive on-air reporting style. He also served as New York City bureau chief for Metro Networks where his reports aired on WOR-AM and WABC-AM.

Gina Cervetti has an extensive radio news anchoring and reporting background including several years at Boston NPR affiliate WBUR-FM where she anchored the local production of "All Things Considered" and "Here and Now." Gina is an Associated Press Award-winning broadcaster, whose reports have been heard all over New England, including WRKO Boston and WTAG Worcester. She graduated from Boston University.

Mike Gavin oversees the production of the show which includes coordinating segments with WSJ reporters, editors, and outside newsmakers. He also oversees the sound and content of the show including all music and sound elements. Mike had spent a decade in radio programming and production before finding a home at WSJ Radio in 2007. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and son.